HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-10-2008
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CITY OF DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
June 10, 2008
WASHINGTON
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. in the Council Conference Room
located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA. Committee
Members present were: Chair Lynn Norman, Member Sue Singer and Member Gene Cerino.
Also present were: Mayor Pete Lewis, Planning, Building & Community Director Cindy Baker,
Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy, Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, Economic
Development Manager Dave Baron, Finance Director Shelly Coleman, Planning Secretary
Renee Tobias, Troy Humphrey and Spencer Alpert.
Audience Members present were: Gary M. Hahn, Edward Hahn, Bruce Alverson and Ronnie
Roberts.
II. MINUTES - May 13, 2008 Discussion/Clarification: Under the Urban Center Master Plan, there was one correction to the
term Medical Campus Zone which should read Medical Campus District. Under Information, a
correction was made and it should read Williams and Dame.
Member Cerino moved to approve the May 13, 2008 minutes as amended; Chair
Norman concurred.
The minutes were approved as submitted unanimously 3-0.
III. URBAN CENTER MASTER PLAN
Alpert Update
Spence Alpert reported on a charrette with Callison, Director Baker, and Principal
Chamberlain where general and specific concepts were discussed. Rectangle shaped
buildings incorporate a pedestrian pass through and still maintain a logical residential and
commercial floor layout. The difficulty with triangular shaped buildings (diagonal walkways)
is with residential floor plans and lost space.
The Committee discussed that the proposed Downtown Guidelines are for the 4 mega
block redevelopment and will not change the guidelines established for the remainder of
the Downtown Urban Center zone. The Committee asked when preliminary designs will be
provided to the Committee for review and discussion. It was suggested that discussion
take place first on the proposed design guidelines then proceed with preliminary drawings.
The preliminary designs with visuals will be presented at the June 23, 2008 Planning &
Community Development Committee. During discussion of the proposed design
guidelines, building height was mentioned as a concern. Mr. Alpert stated that the building
height witl be complimentary to surrounding buildings, with a minimum and maximum
requirement, throughout the downtown area.
It was also mentioned that parking standards may need to be reviewed and lessened to
encourage pedestrian traffic. This could be supported; however, the Committee will need
to see supporting documentation before lessening parking requirements. Mr. Alpert
suggested a traffic study be prepared and also the fact that the transit station parking
garage is not utilized in the evenings. Member Norman agreed; however, transit service in
Auburn is still not adequate to bring people to the transit station.
Downtown Redevelopment Committee Minutes June 10, 2008
Discussion and suggestions ensued about preferences. The Committee was asked to
email non-negotiable items to Mr. Alpert, Mr. Humphrey and staff.
o Revitalize Main Street by connecting side streets through walk ways
o Ensure adequate green space and improve green areas in the City Hall Plaza.
o Pocket parks that are connected to a Sculpture Garden at the Transit Center. Member
Singer spoke to Sound Transit about replacing rose bushes with grass.
0 1% for Art is encouraged
o Outside patio dining opportunities at restaurants - Spence stated high priority and
restaurants would be encouraged to install awnings for inclement weather. It was
confirmed that building set back is in the Design Guidelines to allow outdoor dining.
o Revise building height to maximum of 6 stores for the 4-mega blocks.
It was also mentioned that at the end of the 90-day negotiation period that a development
agreement be in place or set out deadlines if extend the negotiation period to keep things
moving forward.
Pearl District Tour - June 25, 2008
The tour will leave Auburn City Hall at 6:30 a.m. from the intersection at 1St Street NW and
A Street NW. Once in Portland, the tour will begin from the offices of Williams and Dame
Development, Inc. Member Singer would also like to include Mississippi Street as part of
the tour.
IV. INFORMATION
King County LEED Grant Application
The city is applying for a LEED grant through King County for Phase I of the Auburn
Junction development, with Mr. Alpert's assistance. The grant is for $30,000 (Silver rating).
If awarded, half of the grant amount is given initially to the City with the remaining portion of
the grant given when the project is complete. There are no matching funds required.
Next Meeting
Next meeting will be on June 25, 2008 with a site visit to the Pearl District in Portland,
Oregon.
It was suggested that the July 8th meeting be a walking tour of the 4 mega block area.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Downtown Redevelopment Committee,
Chair Norman adjourned the meeting at 4:29 p.m.
APP OVED THIS ~ DAY OF
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Lynn rman, Chair Re ee S. Tobias, Secretary
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